By Benjamin Pulta | Philippine News Agency
Vice President Sara Duterte should subject herself to the rule of law and submit herself to due process as expected from high officials of the land, a senior Department of Justice (DOJ) official said Thursday.
“We believe that public officials should be the first ones to uphold the rule of law and the rule of law is subjecting yourself to the processes that are outlined in our laws. Being part of the process of investigation is an affirmation that we believe in the rule of law,” Justice Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes Andres said in a chance interview.
Andres made the statement after Duterte failed to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday and submit an affidavit on the alleged threats she made against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Instead, Duterte sent a letter through her lawyer claiming that she cannot expect justice from the DOJ, being under the Office of the President.
“Hindi po tama ’yon dahil po ang Department of Justice at ang mga korte at ang mga law enforcement agents ay institusyon po sa ating demokrasya. Hindi po tayo nagpapadikta kahit kanino at wala naman po[ng] pagdidikta,” Andres said.
Should the NBI file a complaint before the DOJ against Duterte, Andres advised the Vice President to submit herself to due process and file a counter-affidavit.
“Kapag siya po ay pumasok sa preliminary investigation, kailangan po [na] ang kanyang mga salaysay ay sinumpaang salaysay so that the statements would be accountable because any statement given under oath which is false is punishable also for perjury and other criminal offenses,” he said.
Duterte’s absence on Wednesday was the second time the Vice President failed to attend the NBI hearing, sending a letter instead through his lawyer Paul Lim.
“With respect, we must state the obvious that the Honorable Secretary of Justice is this office’s administrative superior, head of agency and the President’s alter-ego, while the Honorable Executive Secretary is the President’s chief alter-ego. Given these facts you will kindly understand our client’s prudence in her cooperation with your office, and her desistance from appearing at and giving any statement on 11 Dec. 2024,” the letter read.
Duterte also reiterated the alleged threats on her life.
“We are also confident that given your letter’s assurance that the threats to our client are also being investigated, the same attention and vigor are being devoted thereto, notwithstanding the absence of any directive from your superiors,” the letter added.
However, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said Duterte could have given her side on the alleged threats to her life had she complied with the subpoena.
“She did not specify kung sino ’yong taong nagte-threat sa kanya; wala siyang sinama na proof kung ano ’yong threat na ’yon. Ibinalik niya lang sa amin ’yong sinasabi ko na we will investigate. But then ’yong hindi niya pag-appear ay hindi siya nakipag-cooperate para malaman namin kung sino nagte-threat sa kanya,” Santiago said.